Disneyland Photo Report: July 2016 Star Wars Land Construction Update

The temperature has heated up and the crowds are steady as the 2016 summer season at Disneyland is in full swing. There’s not much happening around the Disneyland Resort, with the exception of a few small construction projects and the massive Star Wars Land expansion.

In this Disneyland photo report we will take a stroll down Main Street USA, visit Star Wars Launch Bay, see the Frontierland Train Station from a different perspective, and of course check up on the Star Wars Land construction project.

Welcome to Main Street USA!

Disneyland Railroad

There is one bright side to all the closures in effect throughout 2016 for the Star Wars Land construction project. For the past few months the Fred Gurley #3 and the Kalamazoo handcar have been on display at the Frontierland Train Station. There’s also a platform in place so that guests can cross to the other side and visit the exterior of the original Frontierland Train Station. This is a really unique opportunity to get a different perspective on the area, see the telegraph sign up close, and speak with some of the Disneyland Railroad engineers. Guests can even see the engine up close and sit in the cars.

Star Wars Launch Bay & Super Hero HQ

With the exception of guests waiting to visit with their favorite Star Wars characters, Star Launch Bay is a bit deserted. Honestly unless guests are looking for a meet and greet, or perhaps to do some shopping in the unique store, there really isn’t much to do in this space. Although the air conditioning is great this time of year.

When the space first reopened back in November 2015, the upstairs portion featured the “Super Hero HQ”, a collection of Marvel meet and greet’s and a retail space. (See the November 2015 Disneyland Photo Update). It closed within months and is currently sitting vacant with no signs of construction.

Downtown Disney

Out in the west end of Downtown Disney, the second Starbucks location is currently under construction. The space is next to the AMC Theater and the Lego Store, across from the Downtown Disney Monorail Station. This Starbucks will be the fourth on Disneyland property, and the second inside Downtown Disney. This location is much smaller than the other Downtown Disney Starbucks, but should prove convenient for theater patrons, and Disneyland Hotel guests who use the Monorail.

The House of Blues Anaheim, located inside Downtown Disney, closed in May. There have been no signs of any changes or replacements as of yet.

Star Wars Land Construction Update

Star Wars Land at Disneyland continues to take shape out behind the Rivers of America. On most days the area is constantly buzzing with trucks, heavy equipment and construction workers. In fact, vertical construction can now be seen in some areas in the form of wood framing!

A large retaining wall is going up on the east end ofStar Wars Land. The Fantasyland Theater can be seen in the background.

Wood framing can be seen as the first vertical construction that is visible. This is located near the backside of Frontierland, probably near the east entrance to Star Wars Land.

On the west side, near Critter Country and the bends of the Rivers of America:

The concrete area is what remains of the Rivers of America near Critter Country.

A good look at the west end of the project and the Rivers of America. Below you can see what remains of this area. In the background are the docks for Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. In the foreground right, the deck for the Hungry Bear Restaurant.

This may either be the previous tunnel for the Disneyland Railroad which was behind the Fantasy Faire, or an employee access tunnel which existed backstage, behind the festival area.

Around Disneyland

Let’s take a trip around Disneyland on this HOT July day.

Join us in a few weeks as we bring you our July 2016 Disney California Adventure photo update!